Automatic loom



Jan. 22, 1935.

E. E. TALBOT l AUTOMATIC LOOM Filed Aug. 28, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 {loven/iol' E. E. TALBOT AUTOMATIC LOOM Jan. 22, 1935.

Filed Aug. 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lzvezor EbarseETalba Q, e l

A lolwgg Jan. 22, 1935. f.;I E, TALBOT 1,989,067

AUTOMATIC LOOM Filed Aug. 28, 1935 3 SheetS-Sheet 3 5g 17d/yf 5'6 5,5, 57* 45' j 59 5'4/ I: I I 3[Z l 'V l1 Patented Jan. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC LooM Y y Evariste E. Talbot, Fall River, Mass., assignor of one-half to Jean B. Daudelin, 'Fall River, Mass.

Application August 28, 1933, SerialNo. 687,069

26 claims. (ol. 1397-259) This invention relates to automatic shuttle threading mechanism adapted for use on looms of the automatic weft replenishing type.

In such a loom, a feeler periodically enters the shuttle box at the feeler end of theloom and feels for the lling on the bobbin of the active shuttle as it enters said box. When the liing on the bobbinof said active shuttle is exhausted or substantially exhausted, the ieeler sets intov Yoperation an automatic weft replenishing mechanism at the replenishing end of the loom which mechanism, without stopping the loom, causes the empty bobbin to be expelled fromv the active shuttle and replaced by a full bobbin when the shuttle reaches. the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom and is boxed therein.

The replenishing operation is instantaneous or pratically so, the full bobbin being substituted for the empty bobbin while theactive shuttle is boxed in the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom and the filling on such iu-ll bobbin being automatically threaded through the eye of the boxed shuttle at this moment.

In conjunction with such automatic loom, and

' as an additional safety adjunct to the operation thereof, there is also provided a filling stop motion, usually referred to as the lling fork. The purpose of the iilling fork is to stop the loom automatically in the event thatthere is no filling on the bobbin or that such filling has become broken between the shuttle and the warp threads.

Both the feeler and the lling fork are operatively connected independently of one another to the starting rod oi the loom. Each is capable of independently initiating the operation of the lling replenishing mechanism Whenever occasion arises. The filling fork, additionally, is capable of again initiating the operation of the lling-replenishing mechanism in the event that said mechanism fails to place a new supply of filling in the shuttle to replace that broken or exhausted.

Hereto-fore the shuttle has been equipped with a mechanical threader, usually in the form of a metallicvcasting provided with threading slots so arranged as to guide the loose end of the filling on the new bobbin through the shuttle eye, and thus automatically thread the shuttle whenever a new bobbin is inserted therein.

The mechanical threader, however, is not entirely reliable in action, and, where as sometimes happens such threader fails to thread the filling on the replacement bobbin through the shuttle at the instant of bobbin change, imperfect weaving results.

To the end, therefore, of providing an automatic shuttle threader applicable to any of the several standard makes of automatic looms, which will be entirely positive in action, I have devised my present invention.

According to my'concept, I avoid rthe necessity for'using the metallic threader now commonly employed in all automatic loom shuttles.

Instead, I provide a suction threading'rnechanism,vthe operation of which is so timed to the action of the loom parts which initiate the operation of they filling-replenishing mechanism as positively to suck the filling on kthe replacement bobbin through the threading eye of the boxed shuttle at the moment of bobbin change.

In conjunction with and as an adjunct to my novel suction threader I .provide` a cutter which likewise is so timed to the operation'of the loom parts which initiate the operation of the liingreplenishing mechanism that the new rilling is automatically severed between the new bobbin and the end-holder of the bobbin hopper at the moment of bobbin change so that the'end of such new lling may be sucked into the shuttle and threaded through the threading Veye thereof by my novel suction threader. y

I realize, of course, that in the early days, of the weaving art, it was usual for the weaver, by mouth suction, to threadA a shuttle. This, of course, was before the invention of the automatic loom, and would be impossible with an automatic loom where the loom is not stopped to permit threading. Similarly, with those portable suction devices of the early art which were supposedto be worn by the Weaver 'as a belt or harness equipment and applied to the shuttle of the stopped loom.

My concept is` based on the maintenance of a source of suction Whichis continually available but which is not 'applied to the threading eye of `the shuttle until such time as the feeler or the lling fork of theautomatic loom has operated to initiate the operation of the bobbin Ychanging mechanism. y

At this time a normally closed valve controlling the suction `is automatically opened and suction is applied to the threading eye of the shuttle when it reaches the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom.

Speaking generally, the suction is given to the shuttle by and during the oper-ation ofthe bobbin changing mechanism.

At the same time, or substantially'so, the new iilling on the new bobbin is severed. The suction is continued until the end of the filling on the new bobbin has been positively threaded through the threading eye of the active shuttle.

In such threading actionthe suction positively draws such severed vend through the shuttle eye. It also draws the severed or waste end of the filling away from .the selvage so as not to become entangled therein or in the shuttle, such waste end being preferably carrieddown into the suction line and thus entirely out of4 the Weaving room.

The suction through the port 45 is for the purpose of threading the shuttle. The suction through the ports 46 and 47 is for the purpose of carrying off the waste through the suction lines as soon as cut off by the temple cutter. Thereafter the suction control valve is automatically restored to closed position in readiness to repeat` its operation whenever a condition of empty bobbin is again registered by the feeler ory filling fork. f

The cutter is preferably in the form of ra pair of scissors so disposed with reference to the endholder of the bobbin magazine as to "out the filling on the new bobbin which is in readiness to be inserted into the active shuttle as a replacement when the bobbin changing mechanism operates. One of the blades of the scissors is xed and the other blade is movable by and during the movement of the bobbin changing mechanism itself. The movable blade operates to sever the lling on the new bobbin just priorto the moment that the new bobbin is' actually inserted into the shuttle so that the end of the new lling may be caught by the suction and drawn into the threading eyev of the shuttle when the shuttle reaches the shuttle box at the replenishment end of the loom and is boxed therein.

For the purposes of this application I have illustrated my invention as applied to a standard Draper automatic loom. This treatment is purely illustrative and in no way limiting, however, since the principles of my invention apply to other standard makes of automatic loom without substantial modification and reorganization, and regardless of whether the bobbin hoppers of such looms are of the rotary type or of other well known type. Y

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a somewhat schematic View of an automatic loom equipped with an automatic suction threader in accordance with my invention, the loom being seen from the front. l

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary end elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the suction control valve and the push and pull pawls for actuating the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of said valve.

Fig, 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a face view at the suction outlet side of the valve, particularly showing the fixed port thereof.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section throughl the valve body, particularly showing the rotary Valve plug and its series of ports which register successively with the xed port.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through the valve assembly. f

Fig. 8 is a stripped view illustrating the co-action of the push and pull pawls and the valve ratchet, and

Figs. 9 to 15 inclusive are timing diagrams of the valve.

I have indicated at 10a fragmentarypart of the breast beam of an automatic loom of standard manufacture, at 11 the lay of the loom, at 12 and 13 the usual shuttle boxes disposed respectively at the feeler and the replenishing end of the loom frame, and at S the shuttle. Thel hopper or magazine for the filled bobbins B is indicated at 14, and the usual end-holder for the iilling ends F of such bobbins is indicated at 15.

The loom is equipped with the usual feeler 16. This isof standardA type and is adapted to feel through the slot of the shuttle box 12 at the feeler end of the loom and through the slot of the active shuttle S when boxed in said box to determine whether or not the filling on the bobbin in said shuttle is critically exhausted and requires replenishment.

The loom is also equipped with the usual lling-stop motion, indicated generally at 17, for initiating the operation of the bobbin-changing mechanism whenever the filling on such bobbin is broken between the shuttle and the Warp threads or for causing said mechanism to repeat its operation in the event that it has failed to place a new supply of filling in the shuttle to replace that broken or exhausted.

Both the feeler 16 and the lling stop motion, or more accurately the so-called filling `fork thereof are operatively connected by the usual connections indicated generally at 18 and 19, respectively, to one end of the usual change shaft or starting rod 20 of the loom. The opposite end of the starting rod 20 is connected with the weft replenishing mechanism of the loom by means of the usual operating connections.

Such replenishing mechanism and the operating connections therefore are of usual construction and need only be briefly described.

In brief, there extends from the hopper stand 14 an arm or dead shaft 21 on which is mounted the usual bobbin transferrer 22 for transferring a fresh supply of lling (i. e. a new bobbin B) to the shuttle when boxed in the shuttle box 13. Normally the transferrer is maintained in inoperative position by means of the spring 23. Extending downwardly from the transferrer is an arm 24. Pivotally connected to said arm is a dog 25, the free end of which is adapted to be engaged by the bunter of the lay, as usual, whenever filling replenishment is called for.

Extending rearwardly from the starting rod 20 is the usual rocker arm 26, spring tensioned as at 27. The arm 26 through the usual connections partly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and generally indicated by the reference numerals 28 and 29, operate the transferrer 22 whenever filling replenishment is called for.

When a bobbin change is called for, the starting rod 20 is rocked, and through the motiontransmitting connections just indicated, sets the bobbin change mechanism into operation. The lowermost bobbin in the bobbin magazine is pushed downwardly into the shuttle when the shuttle reaches the shuttle box 13 and is boxed therein, the contact of the new bobbin with the empty bobbin in the shuttle pushing the empty bobbin through the bottom of the shuttle and the lled bobbin into its correct position within the shuttle.

At the same time or substantially so, the end F of the lling on such bobbin, which end is supported in the end holder 15, is severed, so that the new lling may be threaded into the shuttle eye. The suction is continued for the time of complete action of the port 45 which is for the purpose of threading in through the eye of the active shuttle.

In accordance with my invention suction is utilized to positively thread the new lling through the threading eye of the shuttle now boxed in the box 13, the arrangement being such that the suction is not applied to the shuttle box 13 and the lling-end cutter is not caused to operate until after the feeler 16 and/or iilling fork 17 has initiated the operation of the bobbin change mechanism itself. In other words, both the suction control, here shown as a rotary valve, and the filling end cutter, operate in timed relation to the operation of thebobbin change' mechanism. lBoth valve and cutter, as .here shown, "take their operation from the starting rod l20 which rod is itself operated by 'either the'feeler 16 or .llin'g fork 17 whenever bobbin change is called for.

The motion transmitting connections between the starting rod and the suction control Valve, andl thev general installation as to suchv valve and the suction supply and delivery connections thereof are shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring iirst to Fig. 1 I have indicatedat 30 a suction supply pipe. This is connected with any suitable source of vacuumnot shown and may conveniently be brought through the floor ofthe weaving room as shown in Fig. 1.

The suction is under the control of a'rotatable valve indicated generally at 31 in Fig. 1. The suction pipe 3'0 enters the casing of this valve and suction is appliedto the shuttle box front 13 at certain times through the branch pipe 32. The suction control valve is normally closed Vbut is opened whenever the starting rod `20 is actuated. This permits the suction in pipe 30 to draw upon shuttle box front 13 through'pipel32.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the valve, VI might vn'oterthat the motion transmitting connections from the starting rod to the valve include a .rocker arm 33 linked as at 34 to the rockerarm 26 of the starting rod. The arm 33 is fast onone end of a rock shaft 35 journaled in suitable bearings on the loom frame and provided at its opposite end with avrocker arm 36 carrying a pull pawl 37 adapted to coact with a ratchet Wheel 38 fast on the shaft 39 of the ported valve plug or core 40, (Fig. 7). Also coacting with said ratchet wheel is Va ypush pawl 41 eccentrically mounted as at 42 on a constantly rotating shaft r43Which takes its drive lfrom some constantly rota-ting part of the loom.

The push pawl 41 is rotated continuously ,by shaft V43. Normally this pawl idles on the long tooth 44 ofthe ratchet 38, which as shown here has seven short teeth and one long tooth.

Whenever filling replenishment is called for and the starting rod 20 rocked, the rocking motion of this shaft yis transmitted by the motion transmitting connections 26, 34, 33, 35, 36 to the pull .pawl 37. Said'pawl thereupon eiectively engages the short tooth of the ratchet on which it happens to rest and turns the ratchet far enough ahead (in the counter-clockwise direction of Fig. 4) for thepush pawl 41 to engage with the back of the shortV tooth immediately ahead of the long tooth on which it had theretofore been idling. This engagement `of the push pawl rotates the ratchet tooth by tooth through one complete .revolution and until the long tooth 44 is again brought under the push pawl, whereupon the push pawl again idles on said tooth until the starting rod 20 is again actuated to initiate another Voperation of the bobbin change mechanism.

During the rotation of the ratchet and with it the ported plug or discI 40 of the valve, suction draft is established through opening .of the port 45 to suction line 32 and shuttle box front 13 from the suction pipe 30 through the valve to thepipe 32 and shuttle box 13.

This suction -connection is intermittent, however, in the sense that the valve plug or disc 40 has a plurality (here shown as three) of Valve ports 45, 46, 47, with intervening blocking areas 48, 49 and 50 (Fig. 6). While the ratchet is being intermittently rotated lthrough one complete revolution, I.these ports are :adapted to register :suc-

rcessively with a iixed port 51X(Fig. 5) 'in' a fixed plate'or end closure 52 of the valve casing. The :suction pipe 30 delivers into the valve chamber 53 beh-ind the portedplug or disc 40 and the branch pipe 32 connects with the fixed port 51 so that when any of the ports 45, 46 or 47 vare registered with the port 51a suction connection is Vestablished to the shuttle box 13 and when anyof the port-blocking areas 48, 49 and 50 are'in registry with said port 51, the suction connection to said shuttle box 13 is broken. 'V'

The purpose of the port 45 is to produce suction when the shuttle is in .the box 13. The port 46 is to produce suctiontto draw'the waste thread cut` by the temple Vcutter when the shuttle is in the box 12. The port '47 is to produce the same action as the. port 46 only on the second later .pick with the shuttlev in the box 12. Should the temple cutter have failed to cut the waste filling in due time for the port 46 when in action, the .port 47 would have a chance to pick up the failure of the port 46 for both the ports 46 and 47,. The shuttle would be in the opposite box 12.v

This result is best attained With the triple ported valve shown particularly Where the ports 46' and 47 are of equal area and the port 45 of double the area of either port 46 or 47. Y

Considering the timing diagrams, Figs. 9 to 15, these show the various positions of the rotary valve disc 40 with respect to the iixed port 51 during yone complete step by step rotation of the valve.

Fig. 10 corresponds to the pawl position of Fig. 8. The valve has been rotated counter-clockwise the distance of one ratchet tooth to bring port 45 into registry with port 51 and establishthe suction circuit to the shuttle box front 13. The port 45 is Wide enough to still register with the port 51 on the next movement of the ratchet .one tooth space (Fig. 11), and thusin a properly proportioned apparatus to aiiord a ltime factor equivalent -to practically two picks o'i the shuttle during which the suction lcircuit is established to the shuttle box front 13.

This allows enough time for the shuttle which was in the shuttle box 13 tohave been thrown across to the shuttle box 12 and before .it has fully returned to box 13.

On the next rotation of the valve onev ratchet tooth space (Fig. 12) the blocking area 50 covers fixed port 51 and the suction circuit is broken.

. It is immediately reestablished, however, on the rotation of the valve the next tooth space (see Fig. `13) which brings port 46 into registry with port 51.

This port, and also port 47, are only wide enough to remain in lregistry with port 51 while the shuttle is making one pick, as from box 13 to box 12 in Fig. 13 or from box 12 to box A13 'in Fig. 15, there being an intermediate interval of suction 'discontinuance represented in Fig. 1'4 wherein the further rotation of the valve one tooth space has brought blocking 'area 49 over port '51.

InV addition to their function las suction ports, the openings 51 and 45, 46 and `47 also-actas thread cutters. The suction when applied Ldraws they end F of the new filling, after it hasbeen severed at a point between the bobbin magazine and the end holder 15, through the shuttle eye to thread the shuttle.' Any loose end of `such filling cut off beyond the shuttle eye after the shuttle has been threaded `is sucked through l the branch pipe 32 and into the valve casing. yThe xedport 51 acts as the xed element of a cutter constituted by the end plate 52 andthe several vllports of the rotary valvedisc '40, the thread in the' registering ports being cut by the relative movement of the valve disc to the xed end plate 52, and the cut portions being drawn downinto the suction pipe 30 and out of the weaving room. In order to increase the eiciency of this cutting action, the back edges of the several ports 45, 46, 47'may be slightly beveled. or sharpened,'asin dicated at 531, Fig. 6. Thusthe cutter chops the loose thread drawn through it into small lengths which Will not clog the valve. y

In order to avoid back-lash-of the ratchet wheel, I provide a friction check therefor. This may conveniently take the form of a friction wheel 54 fast on the ratchet shaft 39 having half circle notches corresponding to each tooth of the ratchet and a friction roller 55 operating against the corrugated or otherwise roughened periphery of said wheel. The friction roller 55 is rotatably journaled inthe bifurcated lower end of a stem 56 which stem is loosely mounted in suitable bearings 57 on the valve casting for yielding movement relative to the friction wheel 54. Confined about'said stem between the upper bearing and a shoulder 58 formed `on the stem is a coil spring 59, the function of which is to constantly urge the friction ioller against the wheel.,

In order to permit setting of the shaft 39 and thusvof the ratchet wheel 38 to meet any given loom conditions, said shaft is extended beyond the valve casting as a threaded stem 60. On this is mounted an adjustment collar 61 and a lockY nut 62. Between the collar 61 and the shaft bearing at the adjacent end of the valve casting is confined a coil spring 63.

The purpose of the spring on thev shaft 39 is to produce a varied tension on the shearing blade edge of the ports 45, 46. 47 on the rotary valve 48 in order to form a firm shearing contact with sharp edge of the port 51 against the steel plate 52.

As previously indicated, I provide a cutter operating in timed relation to the bobbin-change mechanism to cut the end F of the new filling on the bobbin which is in position to'be thrust down into the shuttle boxed in box 13. This cutter severs the new filling between the bobbin and the end-holder 15 so that when filling replenishment is called for and suction established t the box 13, such end will be free to be sucked into and through the threading eye of the shuttle boxed in said box.

As here shown, such cutter comprises a pair of scissors (Fig. 1) which is somounted as to cut the successive filling ends F at a point between the bobbin magazine and the end holder l as the bobbins are successively presented thereto.

One blade of the scissors here shown as the upper blade 65, is xed and the other blade 66 is movable relative to the fixed blade to produce the cutting action. The scissors may be mounted in thev relation indicated in any convenient manner and may be operated from any convenient part of the bobbin changing mechanism.

, Conveniently, the loop end of the fixed blade 65 may be extended as a strap 6'7 the free end of which is loosely sleeved over the dead shaft 211.

The loop end of the movable blade '66 has an arm 68 Vwhich is connected to an arm 69` at one end of a lever 70 supported on the loom in any suitable manner, as by suspending it loosely as at 71 from the dead shaft 21. The opposite end of lever 70 has an arm 72 pivoted on the same pivot pin 73 which pivotally connects the parts 24 and 25 so that said lever is swung by and in the movement of said parts. Y

; 'Thusgwhenever the ybobbin change mechanism `is actuated, the movable blade 66 is caused to close upon the fixed blade 65 and cut the interposed filling end F. The blade 66 is restored to original position upon return of the bobbin change mechanism and particularly the parts 24 and 25 to original position.

-As usual in automatic looms, the empty bobbin when ejected from the shuttle in box 13 falls by gravity down the guide '74 into the empty bobbin receptacle 75.

'The suction connection 32 to the box 13 may enter said boxat any desired point, either at top, side orI bottom, and preferably enters it adjacent that end of the shuttle box at which the threading eyeof the shuttle will be positioned when the shuttle comes to rest within the box.

. Various modifications in structure, arrangement and methodical operation may obviously be resorted to within thespirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. In theart of threading the shuttle of a loom equipped with automatic bobbin changing mechanism and with an operating part which initiates the operation of such bobbin changing mechanism, said shuttle being devoid of the usual automaticthreader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle but having a threading eye extending from the shuttle throat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere, the method which consists in automatically creating within the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom simultaneously with the initiation of the bobbin changing operation and without stopping the loom a suction effective to draw the end of the new iilling through the .threading eye of the shuttle while the shuttle is still boxed in said shuttle box.

2. In the art of threading the shuttle of a loom equipped with automatic bobbin changing mechanism and with an operating part which initiates the operation of such bobbin changing mechanism, said shuttle being'devoid of the usual automaticthreader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle but having a threading eye extending from the shuttle throat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere, the method which consists in automatically severing the end of the filling on the replacement bobbin simultaneously with the initiation of the bobbin changing operation, and in automatically creating within the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom simultaneously with the initiation of such bobbin changing operation and without stopping the loom a suction effective to draw the` end of the new filling through the threading eye of the shuttle while the shuttle is still boxed in said shuttle box.

3. In a loom equipped with automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism, the combination with an operating part which initiates the operation of such bobbin replenishing mechanism and a shuttle devoid of the usual automatic threader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle but having a threading eye extending from the shuttlethroat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere, of an automatic shuttle threading mechanism operatedby and in the movement of said part which initiates the operation of the bobbin changing mechanism and effective to positively thread the free end of the new filling on the replacement bobbin through said threading eye of the shuttle whenever a bobbin change occurs.

4. In a loom equipped with automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism, the combination with anl operating part which initiates the operation of such bobbin replenishing mechanism and a. shut-` tle devoid ofthe usual automatic threader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle but having a threading eye. extending from the shuttle throatthrougha wall of the shuttle to atmosphere and said means including, means. for automatically creating Within the shuttle box at the replenishing Aend of the loom whenever said operating part initiates the operation of the bobbin changing mechanism a suction effective to positively thread the end of the new lling through the threading eye of the shuttle while the shuttle is still boxed in said shuttle box and without stopping the loom.

5. In a loom equipped with automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism, the combination with an operating part which'initiates the operation of such bobbin replenishing mechanism and a shuttle devoid of the usual automatic threader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle but having a threading'eye extending from the shuttle throat through'a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere and said means including,

' a normally closed suction control valve automatically opened whenever said operatingv part initiates the operation of the bobbin changing mechanism, and a suction connection from said valve to the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom eiective when said valve is opento create 'a suction in said box and positively thread the end of the new lli-ng through the threading eye of the shuttle while the shuttle is still boxed in said'box and without stopping the loom.

6. In a loom equipped With automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism, the combination with an operating part which initiates the operation of such bobbin replenishing mechanism, a suction connection to the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, a normally closed valve controlling said suction connection, a normally' idle mechanism for said valve, and operative connections between said actuating connections and the part which initiates the operation of the. bob- Y binfchanging mechanism effective whenever a change of bobbin is necessary'to cause said valve to open and establish a 'suction' through said suction connection capable of drawing the end of the new lling throughthe threading eye of the shuttle boxedin said shuttlebox.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the valveis a rotatable valve which is rotated step by step through one complete revolutionA whenever a change of bobbin occurs. r L

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6` `wherein the valve is a rotatable valve which isrotatable step by step through one complete. revolution whenever a change of bobbin' occurs and where in also the valve actuating mechanism includes a ratchet associated with the'valve and a push.4

with said l pawl and a pull pawl cooperative ratchet.

9. The combination in an automatic loom'having automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism and having an operating part which initiates the operation of said bobbin replenishing mechanism Whenever a change of' bobbin is necessary, of a suction connection to the shuttle box at ther replenishing end of the loom, a normally closed valve controlling the suction through said connection, yandoperative connections between said valve and said loom part which initiates the operation of the bobbin replenishing mechanism effective whenever a change of bobbin is necessary to open said valve and create a suction through the threading eye of such shuttle.

10. An automatic loom as claimed in claim 9 wherein there is also pro-vided a lling end cutter operated by and in the operation of they bobbin changing mechanism to sever the end of the illing on the new bobbin which is in readiness to be inserted into the shuttle when the shuttle is boxed in the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom. f

A11. The combination in an automatic loom having bobbin replenishing mechanism and having apart which initiates the operation of such bobbin replenishing mechanism through the usual starting rod of the loom whenever a change of bobbin is necessary, of a suction connectionl to the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, a normally closed valve controlling the suction through said connection, a ratchet associated with said valve and having a long tooth and a plurality of :shorter teeth, a continuously rotating shaft having a push pawl eccentrically mounted thereon and normally idling on the long tooth of said ratchet, a pull vpawl disposed for engagement with the ratchet, and operative connections from said pull pawl to said starting rod such thatwhen the starting rod is actuated by the part which initiates the operation of the bobbin changing mechanism said pull pawl will rotate the ratchet suiiiciently to clear the push pawl from the longv tooth thereof and the ratchet will thereafter be rotated step by step through a complete revolution by the push pawl to periodically establish and break the suction circuit through said suction connection.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is also provided alling end cutter operated whenever the starting rod is actuated and' effective to sever the end of the lling on the new bobbin which is in readiness to be inserted into the shuttle.v Y

, 13. In a loom, a suction connection to a `shuttle box thereof, a normally closed valve controlling the suction through said connection, a ratchet associated with said valve and having a long tooth and a plurality of shorter teeth, a continuously rotating shaft having a push pawl eccentrically mounted thereon and normally idling on the long tooth of said'ratchet, a pull pawl disposed for engagement with the ratchet, and means whereby said pull pawl may be caused to rotate the ratchet suciently to clear the push pawl from the long. tooth thereof so that the ratchet may thereafter be rotated step by step through a complete revolution by the push pawl to periodically establish and break the suction circuit through saidsuction connection.

14. In anI automatic loom, the combination with shuttle boxes, automatic bobbin changing mechanism adjacent one of said shuttle boxes, a starting rod operatively connected with said bobbin changing mechanism, and a part operatively connected with said starting rod and adapted tol initiate the operation of said bobbin changing mechanism whenever a change of bobbin is necessary, of a continuously rotating driven shaft, a push pawl eccentrically mounted thereon, a rotatable suction control valve having afratchet adapted to be engaged by said push and operative connections from said pull pawl to said starting rod.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein there is also provided a lling end cutter operated whenever the starting rod is actuated and effective to sever the end of the filling on the new bobbin which is in readiness to be inserted into the shuttle.

. 16. An automatic loom as claimed iny claim 14 wherein the valve construction includes a fixed part having a port therein opening into the suction connection to said shuttle box, and a rotatable plug having a plurality of ports therein successively registrable with said xed port to alternately establish and break the suction connection to said shuttle box during rotation of the valve.

17. In an automatic loom, the combination with shuttle boxes, an automatic bobbin changing mechanism mounted adjacent one of said shuttle boxes, a starting rod operatively connected with said bobbin changing mechanism, and a part operatively connected to said rod and adapted to initiate the operation of said bobbin changing mechanism whenever a change of bobbin is necessary, of a suction connection to the shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom including a normally closed control valve, and means actuated by and in the actuation of said starting rodto open said valve Whenever a change of bobbin is necessary.

. 18. An automatic loom as claimed in claim 1'7 wherein the valve opening means includes a continuously rotating shaft, a push pawl eccentrically mounted on said shaft, a ratchet associated with said valve and disposed normally to be idly engaged by said push pawl, a pull pawl also disposed for coaction with said ratchet, and operative connections from said pull pawl to said starting rod eiective upon actuation of said starting rod to rotate said ratchet into a position wherein it may be thereafter effectively engaged by said push pawl and rotated step by step through a complete revolution during which f revolution the suction connection to said shuttle 'box at the replenishing end of the loom is periodically established and broken.

19. In an automatic loom having automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism and having a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, a shuttle adapted to be boxed in said shuttle box for bobbin replenishment, said shuttle having a threading eye extending-from the shuttle throat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere but being devoid of the usual automatic threader and threading slots of the usual selfthreading loom shuttle, and means timed to the operation of the bobbin replenishing mechanism and operating whenever said replenishing mechanism operates, for positively threading the free end of the new lling on the replacement bobbin through said threading eye of the shuttle while the shuttle is still boxed for bobbin replenishment in said shuttle box at the replenishing end of the l loom.

l wherein suction means is employed to thread the shuttle.

22. In an automatic loom having automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism and 'having a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, a shuttle adapted to be boxed in said shuttle box for bobbin replenishment, said shuttle having a threading eye extending from the shuttle throat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere but being devoid of the usual automatic threader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle, a suction connection leading into said shuttle box and normally unsupplied with suction, andmeans timed to the operation of the bobbin replenishing mechanism for supplying suction to said suction connection whenever said replenishing mechanism operates whereby to positively thread the free end of the new lling on the replacement bobbin through said threading eye of the shuttle while the shuttle is still boxed for bobbin replenishment in said shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom.

23. A loom attachment as claimed in claim 22, wherein the suction connection to the shuttle box terminates adjacent to the position within the shuttle box occupied by the suction threading eye'of the shuttle boxed in said shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom.

'24. A loom attachment as claimed in claim 22,`wherein a lilling end cutter is mounted adjacent the replenishing end of the loomA and is so timed with the operation of the bobbin replenishment mechanism as to sever the end of the new iilling on the replacement bobbin whenever said replenishing mechanism operates.

25. The combination in an automatic loom having automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism and a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, of a shuttle adapted to be boxed in said shuttle box for bobbin replenishment, said shuttle having a threading eye extending from the shuttle throat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere but being devoid of the usual automatic threader and threading slots of the usual self-threading loom shuttle, .and suction means timed to the operation of the bobbin replenishing mechanism for automatically threading the free end of the new lling on the replacement bobbin through said threading eye of the shuttle While said shuttle is still boxed for bobbin replenishment in said shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom.

26. 'Ihe combination in an automatic loom having automatic bobbin replenishing mechanism and a shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, of a shuttle adapted to be boxed in said shuttle box for bobbin replenishment, said shuttle having a threading eye extending from the shuttle throat through a wall of the shuttle to atmosphere but being devoid of the usual automatic threader and threadingslots of the usual selfthreading loom shuttle, suction means timed to the operation of the bobbin replenishing mechanism for automatically threading the free end of the new lling on the replacement bobbin through said threading eye of the shuttle while saidl shuttle is still boxed for vbobbin replenishment in said shuttle box at the replenishing end of the loom, and a lling end cutter mounted adjacent the replenishing end of the loomand so timed 'to the operation of the bobbin replenishing mechanism as to sever the end of the new lling on the replacement bobbin whenever said replenishing mechanism operates.

. EVARISTE E. TALBOT. 

